A man who allegedly aimed a laser pointer at a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter that was monitoring immigration raid protests in downtown Los Angeles has been arrested, the FBI announced Friday.
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Dominic Rios, 21, whose last known address was in Hemet, in Riverside County, was arrested on July 7 after investigators filed a complaint against him on June 27 in U.S. District Court.
According to the complaint, on June 10, Rios allegedly aimed the laser device at an LAPD helicopter flying at 950 feet while its crew monitored anti-immigration enforcement protests.
The airship was struck three times by a green laser beam, according to the complaint.
"The LAPD helicopter pilot and flight officer were able to identify the person using the laser ... and relay his description and location near a parking lot to LAPD officers on the ground, who located Rios and arrested him," according to an FBI news release. "An LAPD officer searched Rios and found a laser pointer in his pocket."
Rios admitted that he pointed the laser at the chopper, according to the FBI, which noted that the beam lit up the helicopter's cockpit for three to five seconds each time and forced the pilot to change altitude, according to the complaint.
The seized pointer was found to emit green light that is a danger to people's eyes.
Rios was released after an initial court appearance and if convicted, faces up to five years in federal prison.
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